Bruce Bennett/Getty ImagesDean Lombardi has salary-cap room to make moves for the Kings.

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The Los Angeles Kings made a critical, and sensational, deal prior to last year's trade deadline when general manager Dean Lombardi acquired Jeff Carter for Jack Johnson from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

At the time, the Kings seemed to be quite strong defensively, but desperately needed to get their offense going. The trade was ideal. Carter was the key who, not only became an offensive force for the Kings, but also seemed to jump-start the rest of the offense.

The defending Stanley Cup champions appear to have strength in depth on their roster this year, but Lombardi addressed a need on the defensive end by acquiring Robyn Regehr from the Buffalo Sabres two days before the trade deadline.

Adding Defensive Help

Matt Greene (back) and Willie Mitchell (knee) are out and that means the Kings could use some help on the blue line. Neither Greene nor Mitchell are superstars, but they are competent defensemen who know how to play in their own zone when they are healthy.

Raiding Calgary

When the Flames traded Jarome Iginla to the Pittsburgh Penguins, it finally signified that Flames general manager Jay Feaster was looking at the future instead of trying to cling to the slimmest hopes that his team would make the playoffs.

The Flames have several veteran players who will be talked about prior to the April 3 trade deadline.

Goalie Jonathan Bernier

Backup goalie Jonathan Bernier is a very attractive trade target for a number of teams which are in need of upgrading their goalkeeping.

However, while trading Bernier could probably bring the Kings viable assets—draft picks or depth players—he is too valuable to trade at this point.

The time is not right

Jonathan Quick won the Conn Smythe Trophy last year, but he has not been as good this season. Quick has a 2.51 goals against average and a mundane .895 save percentage. As things stand, head coach Darryl Sutter knows he can call on Bernier to get relief. Bernier has been sensational this season with a 1.94 GAA and a .923 save percentage.

If Quick is not on his game down the stretch or in the postseason, Bernier is capable of taking over. The Kings can't afford to trade him at this point in the season.